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As a part of our homecoming festivities each year, it is the responsibility of the student council to select a Grand Marshall. Often this person is someone who has given of themselves to make our school and community a better place. Often times this is a difficult decision as so many wonderful people contribute of their time and resources to our school. This year's student council selected Lynn Johnson as our 2010 Homecoming Grand Marshall.
To give you a little background on Lynn, he has lived in the Milford area for 44 years. Much of that time he has spent providing our town with the much needed service of groceries through Buy-Rite and Fareway. Lynn has given his time in many ways to Okoboji. In the community he has been involved in things such as Kiwanis, City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem, Church Boards, and he is the longest ever member of the Milford Volunteer Fire Department. Besides all of Lynn’s community involvement, he has also helped out in many various ways in the school. Especially helping out in sport activities. For football Lynn ran the press box and the chain gang for many years and more recently has been a spotter in the press box. For basketball he ran the scorer’s table and also worked track meets. As you can see, Lynn has always been a huge supporter and actively involved in so many activities and events associated with the Okoboji School District.
Recently, however, this has become much more difficult for Lynn. Not long ago he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Lynn has endured many painful treatments in his brave fight with the disease. And although his condition, and his treatments, have limited his ability to be as active and involved as he has for so many years, it has not limited his enthusiasm, support, and spirit.
For all of these reasons and more, our school was proud to have Lynn as our 2010 Homecoming Grand Marshall. He played the part perfectly. He attended our pep rally where he was introduced and given a standing ovation. He presided over the parade in fine fashion on a beautiful fall day. Lynn ended the night, as he has for so many years, cheering on the Pioneers and helping in the press box at the football game. After the game was over we chatted about what a great first half it was and how, except for a couple mistakes we would have had them. We also agreed we would get them next time. It truly was a great day for Lynn and for all of us.
Life is a lot of things. Unpredictable, sometimes difficult, and often times ironic. All of those things came true this Friday when we got the news that Lynn had passed away. It seemed inconceivable that a man that was so full of life one week prior - a man that had literally spent the afternoon soaking in the sun and receiving the thanks of an entire community, could so quickly be gone. Hearing of his passing on Friday and thinking back to the decision to ask him to be our Grand Marshall is one of the experiences I will never forget. Throughout the week several people close to Lynn commented to me what a highlight it was for him.
So often in life, those who are most important to us slip away before we have a chance to tell them exactly how thankful we are for them. We are often left with regrets wishing for the opportunity to have that one last conversation to tell them how we feel. That did not happen with Lynn. He spent one of his last days on top of the world, as the entire Okoboji Community got the chance to show him what he has meant to us. Even today as I write, it gives me the chills and warms my heart at the same time.
Thank you. Thank you to Lynn and his family for all you have done for our school and community. Thank you for the energy and time you have poured into generations of Okoboji students. Thank you to our student council for your foresight. One of the reasons Lynn was nominated was that students were concerned about his health. They wanted to make sure they got the chance to thank him before it was too late. They had no idea how right they were. Without a doubt, the kids got it right this time.
Happy trails Mr. Johnson. I know you're smiling down right now with your Pioneer cap, cheering on the students of OHS as you have for so many years. -BD
Homecoming 2010 has come and gone and was, by all accounts, extremely successful. OHS students enjoyed dressing like cavemen, rennaisance lords and ladies, robots, and more. Our cheerleaders and student council carried out a very entertaining pep rally complete with a whip cream pie fight and Mr. Paulsen in a dress (don't ask). The evening featured the crowning of our 2010 Homecoming King and Queen - Mr. Kelly Kaufman and Miss Jenna Tschetter. Congratulations to Kelly, Jenna, and all of our spectacular court. The football game was a hard fought contest and although the final outcome was not in our favor, we had a lot to cheer about as our boys showed a lot of heart and made us all proud. The dance was well attended and a lot of fun was had by all.
Now we turn the page and refocus on the mission of our school - academic success for all and the mission of creating productive citizens in a changing world. Academically speaking we are just past the midway point of first quarter - or approximately 1/8 of the way through the school year. Midterm grades were recently sent out which is our first official measuring stick of progress for students. The staff members of OHS are committed to success for all and, like many schools, we have a system of interventions to assist those students who are struggling to realize that success. One of those interventions is called Academic Tutoring.
Academic tutoring is a program aimed at freshman and sophomore students. Many studies show a direct correlation between success during the transition years into high school, and other variables like graduation and post-secondary success. We work for the success of all students, but we focus especially intently on the 9th and 10th grade years. Research and past history show that if students are given extra support in these years, it helps them develop the habits and traits necessary for future success. If you would like to read some of the research that supports this position you can find a great article here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3673/is_3_130/ai_n52943092/
If you have a son or daughter in 9th or 10th grade who received a D or F grade on their first midterm you should have received a letter about Academic Tutoring. Here is a brief explanation of the program:
Academic tutoring is a program for 9th and 10th grade students who are struggling academically as evidenced by grade reports. Any student who received a D or F midterm report will be enrolled in the program. Academic Tutoring takes place from 3:15-4:00pm Monday through Thursday afternoons. Students who are in a school activity and therefore are expected at practice during this time may report for Academic Tutoring before school Monday-Thursday at 7:30am. Academic Tutoring is NOT designed as a punishment. It is an organized program focused on giving students time to work on the subjects in which they are struggling at a time when teachers are available for help. Many of the students work under the supervision and with the assistance of Mrs. Derner, although often times they will have the opportunity to work directly with the teachers in whose classes they are struggling.
Every two weeks we re-check grades. Any student who is passing all courses with a grade of C or better at grade-check time may choose not to continue attending tutoring. Any student who is still at a D or F level at grade check will continue in tutoring until they are passing all classes with a C or better at a subsequent grade check.
Again, I want to stress that although many students are not crazy about being placed into Academic Tutoring, it is NOT designed as a punishment. It is a structured time and way to give additional support to students with a demonstrated need for that support. It is NOT a form of detention. The focus of the program is to provide assistance and academic support.
If you have a son/daughter who is being placed in Academic Tutoring, I encourage you to have a discussion with them. Share with them your concern for their success. Find ways to help and support them at home. Encourage them to see this intervention for what it is - an intervention designed to support their success.
If you have any questions about the Academic Tutoring program, please contact me at your convenience.
The leaves are beginning to change, the corn is turning crisp and brown, and we have all begun digging our jackets out of the closet. These are all sure signs of fall. Another dear fall tradition is about to take place at OHS. Homecoming week is being celebrated during the week of September 27-October 1. We have a number of homecoming activities this year for students, alumni, parents, and community members to enjoy.
The theme for homecoming 2010 at OHS is "Traveling Through Time: Past, Present, and Future." Click HERE to see a document with all of the important information regarding events, places, and times for the week. One change has been made in the schedule and that is the date and time of coronation. With this being a redistricting year in football we did not find out our football schedule until after our other fall sports schedules were set. Due to away athletic events on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, we have moved coronation to Friday evening. The crowning of this year's homecoming king and queen will take place beginning at 6:30 on the track in front of the home-side bleachers. The coronation will be followed immediately by a performance from the middle and high school bands and the opening kickoff vs Spirit Lake.
Homecoming is meant to be an event for all. We hope to see lots of OHS alums as well as parents and community members! It is a great time to show our Pioneer Pride. Parents, please take the opportunity to remind your son/daughter about the importance of enjoying homecoming responsibly and of course displaying the high character that we expect from OHS students at all times.
Thank you for your continued support of our high school and GO PIONEERS!!
First of all, thank you to all of you who took the time to fill out my survey last week. I got a lot of great information from it and will certainly be applying what I learned as I go forward in this venture. I learned the vast majority of respondents are parents with children in the Okoboji district. I also learned that 52% of those who responded visit the blog weekly. 63% first learned of the blog from the school website and a vast majority want to see either specific discussion of issues and events affecting our school district or discussion of how global, national, or regional shifts and trends in education impact our school. The responses were great and reaffirmed my thoughts and rational for starting this blog in the first place.
Several weeks ago I learned the administrative team would be giving a presentation to the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary on the Character Counts program in our district. Before I joined the Okoboji team I knew Character Counts was an important program in our district. Banners featuring the six pillars of character are in every building and the district was chosen as the very first Iowa District of Character in 2007. I did not have much personal experience with Character Counts and had not been in a school that implemented the program at the secondary level. I believe with all of my heart in the importance of instilling the importance of good character in students - I just hadn't really ever seen Character Counts in action.
Over the first couple weeks of school I had visited many classrooms and kept waiting to see one of these "Character Counts" lessons in action. I wondered what it would look like at the high school level. As I visited classrooms I never did walk in on one of those lessons. The day of the presentation grew near and I didn't feel very much more enlightened about Character Counts than I had been on day one. The idea of standing in front of a group and speaking about how we implement the program and what it means to our school seemed very daunting. So I did what I knew I had to do - I asked for help! I grabbed one of our flip video cameras and hit the hallways in search of teachers and students who had experienced the program for themselves and could certainly tell me how it is "done" at OHS.
What came out of my morning of taping (which, in the interest of full disclosure, came on the same day as the presentation - kids, don't try this at school) was more than just a four minute long video about Character Counts. I learned quite a bit about our school and the power of instilling the importance of character in a generation of students last Wednesday. Over and over I got the same message from both students and staff.
Character Counts is not something we do, it is what we are. Wow. The high school seniors who have been in our district throughout their school years started with Character Counts in 6th grade. The others started even younger. What they were telling me, each in their own way, was that the lessons of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship, had been so developed within our students so deeply that they had become ingrained in who they are. In educational terms this level of learning is sometimes called "transfer." The importance of good character had been taught and learned to such a level that they had ceased being lessons and become a part of who these kids are. I have since learned more about how the program works in our elementary and middle schools. In the elementary a lot of direct instruction is done in what each pillar of character means. Students are given awards when staff members catch them doing good things. Students get to eat lunch with the principal after a monthly assembly totally focused on recognizing good character. The reason each student was nominated is read aloud to everyone. In the middle school the pillars of character are embedded in discussions on how to be a good friend, how to succeed in school, etc. Less direct instruction is done as the students begin to transfer what they have learned and continue to make it part of their personalities. One of the staff members I spoke with said that the high school reaps the benefits of the work done at the lower levels. I would have to agree with that. By the time the students get to us we get the luxury of expecting good character and a vast majority of the time, that is exactly what we get.
Below you will find the video that was created and shown at the Rotary meeting. I am very happy with the way it came out. I recently shared it via Twitter with the Character Counts Iowa program and they sent it out to all of their followers and put it on their Facebook page. I don't think there is a higher compliment I could pay the Character Counts program and those in the Okoboji School District who have worked so hard to implement it than to hear student after student say "It's not what we do, it's what we are." Since the first day I stepped into Okoboji High School for my interview last spring, I knew there was something different about OHS students. After learning about the importance everyone in the district places on strong character, now I understand why. Character really does count in the Okoboji School District.
Make the week great!
-BD
Character really does Count at Okoboji High School...
I am no language arts teacher. I never was. That being said, I have taken my share of composition courses and as any good teacher of writing will tell you one of the most important things is to know your audience. The content, tone, and style of your writing has to be appropriate for your audience. I have been blogging for almost a year now. I started this particular blog a couple of months ago mainly as a way to stay connected with stakeholders of the Okoboji School District. I had hoped it would become a place where parents, students, teachers, and others could find information relevant to our district and also discuss these issues in an online forum. As I mark two full months on the "From the Hallways" blog I have decided I need to take stock of what I am doing here. What is my purpose? Who is my audience? Have these changed since the inception of this blog? I have been surprised at the large number of visitors this blog has seen but for the most part, I know almost nothing about my audience. That is where I am in desperate need of some audience participation. I know some of you are parents in the Okoboji District. Some of you are educators in our district as well. I also know that some of you are educators who have never even been to Okoboji, much less inside the halls of our school buildings. I am glad all of you are here. I am humbled that you have decided to take time out of your busy days to visit and examine what I have to say. I would like to get a better idea of who my audience is. I believe it will help guide the course of the subjects and style that this blog takes going forward.
Please take just a moment to complete my Google survey. You can get to the survey by clicking this link: FROM THE HALLWAYS SURVEY It will not ask for your name, just some information to help me better understand who is reading and participating in this blog. I promise it will only take a minute but please do it right now. If you get onto something else with the idea of coming back to fill it out later, chances are you won't. I am so thankful for your time and once again I am honored that you have taken the time to listen, think about, and participate in this discussion.
You don't have to know me very long to find out that I am a quote guy. What I mean by that is that I love quotes. I think their allure for me is some combination of my fascination with history and my drive toward efficiency. I love learning from the past. I enjoy gaining wisdom from those who have gone before me. That being said, I don't want to read volume after volume of classic works to gain that knowledge. That is where quotes come in...they are like the Cliffs Notes of knowledge...just the facts, none of the filler.
One of my favorite educationally related quotes is this: "Education is not the filling of a pail, but rather the lighting of a fire." It is not a new concept, William Buckner Yates is credited with saying it in the early 1900's. But the simple truth in this quote has the power, if applied correctly, to shake much of our educational system to the core. If we asked many American students which educational analogy seemed most accurate to them...the filling of a pail or the lighting of a fire, I would venture that many of them would liken it to the filling of the pail. I know much of my life as a student was spent by teachers trying to fill my pail. They poured in multiplication tables and sentence structure and verb conjugations and the stages of photosynthesis and the list goes on. I figured out early that the teacher was the smart one and they would dispense knowledge to me. I learned that I was blessed with a pretty good pail. It had plenty of room and it didn't seem to leak much. The teacher would pour the knowledge in, and come test time, most of it was still there for me to pour back out. Every kid had a different pail. Some were better than mine, a lot were worse. We eventually figured out that the ones who could learn, remember, and regurgitate knowledge were the "smart kids" the ones who couldn't, were not. Kids figure this out quick, and it is one of the most dangerous lessons they learn. Most kids are their own worst critics. By the time they reach upper elementary they know exactly what kind of pail they have and if theirs makes it difficult to memorize and regurgitate, they have labeled themselves as poor students and have already begun to check out. What they don't realize is that they are not poor students, they are poor memorizers. In my opinion, there should be a difference.
Now would be a good time to issue a disclaimer. I am not trying to say that we should abandon all facts and that kids should not memorize 4x4 is 16. There are basic facts and mental procedures that we all need to know and be able to do. What I am suggesting however, is that, especially at the high school level, we need to take the time to put down the pail and light the fire.
By the time kids get to 9th grade they have built up nine years of experience with their current employer. They know the ropes. They have a pretty good idea where they fit in the educational hierarchy. Some of them have had water thrown on their fire for years. Many of them have reached the point where they are putting out their own fire. So that is our challenge. We need to start rebuilding that flame.
How do we do that? It starts by engaging them. Some schools seem to believe that it is the students job to be engaged. That is like the producers of a show that no one is watching saying "We made a great show, people should be watching! It is not our fault they aren't, its theirs!" It is not their job to be engaged, it is our job to engage them. We have to find ways to light their fire and get them excited about true learning. Here's the good news...in my first few observations I have already seen this happening in classrooms throughout Okoboji High School. The faculty of our school know that it is part of the job description of a teacher to engage their students. They do this by approaching each class and each day with enthusiasm. They do this by giving each student individual attention and monitoring their progress. They also do this by confronting their students with rigorous and relevant learning opportunities that challenge them to communicate, collaborate, and create.
Make no mistake, every kid has a fire. Every kid can be engaged. Some kids spend hours upon hours riding on a skateboard or talking with their friends. Others will sit motionless for amazing periods of time trying to conquer the next level of their favorite video game. Our challenge is to keep that going when kids walk through our doors. To engage them with the types of learning that will prepare them to be successful in whatever life holds for them. When we stoke the passion and creativity that exists within each student the results can be amazing.
I will leave you with an example of what can happen when young people are engaged. The young men that created this video are passionate about basketball. The number of hours spent by this group to create this clip must have been staggering. Imagine if we could harness this type of energy and fire in a classroom filled with 25 students...that would truly be amazing.
